Aagrah, Chapel Allerton, Leeds (November 2015)

Remember, remember the 5th of November…..well I can't! But my notes are here to guide me to bring you a 'better late than never' blog entry. Not only was it held on bonfire night, but 'twas also the eve of Matty's wedding - what better way to maximise the chances of you soiling your britches on your big day. The new CC season opener started off with a perilous journey to Chapel Allerton, as 5 men squeezed into a Mini Cooper, only to get stuck in traffic as we headed close to the busiest bonfire in all of Leeds. A great decision by host Gled. Once we'd straightened out our backs, it was time to toast Broady's first born Archie in The Woods Bar - welcome to the world young man. Some You've Been Framed style laughter was had thanks to a comedy rubber legged chair which claimed one or two victims, but we left on a sour note as Matty wasn't happy with the Chapel Allerton prices. A panicked barman, stressing over the increasing numbers flocking in from the Mustard Pot bonfire meant he had merely short changed our soon to be married fellow. Matty was still unhappy.

We headed over the road to The Pit and enjoyed my new favourite ale, Shipyard, as conversation turned to Gled finally being on the open road in his blue Ford Focus. I urge dear readers to watch out for this vehicle and give it a wide birth. An eggy smell meant we swiftly moved on to a nice boozer, The Regent, tucked down one of Chapel A's side streets where a debate over two fifty plus femme fatales, in questionable stockings was enjoyed, before heading over the road to the final stop of the night.

Aagrah, Chapel Allerton, Leeds

Welcomed into a 'sexy' bar area, we were greeted and sat with a beer within a minute of entering the premises. Once at our dining table, the 'pops' arrived and were good, accompanied by an excellent selection of sauces in the pickle tray. A bit slow on the starters unfortunately, but they were certainly worth the wait - the fish and meat platters were absolutely delicious and there was plenty to go round. The mains followed and the waiter seemed to have no idea what he was serving us, until we told him what we'd ordered, and he then confirmed that was the dish - "Chicken Rogan Josh?" "I ordered a Chicken Jalfrezi", "Ah yes, it's a Chicken Jalfrezi". Of course it is. It also didn’t help when Tony performed his usual trick of forgetting what he'd ordered, so he took someone's else's dish - on this occasion it was mine. But whatever my dish was, it was delicious and consumed in its entirety, and this was also the case for others - with Lamb Chops, Saag Gosht and Chicken Rogan Josh among the dishes consumed.

Happy diners all round, no bagging up was required by anybody as new father Broady showed signs of fatigue, rating the 'seven' 10 out of 10 - he of course meant the 'starter' was 10 out of 10. We were provided with hot towels but as they felt like they had been heated in the flames of hell, these posed more of a danger than a refreshing cleanse. Matty, who had been acting like Tony Soprano all night with his short tempered dictation, was ready to leave and so we obliged - chalking his behaviour down to nerves for the big day. Coming in at a decent £210, which included a FONO appearance from last season's leaver Listep #alliteration, so not a bad price at all considering the quality of food.

The mixed platter starters were arguably the best starters we've ever had, seven 10 out of 10 - but the mixed reviews on the following days gas factor meant some experienced the 'curry alarm', resulting in a pre-6am trip to the pot. The early bird needs a crap, before getting the worm it seems.

Thanks for reading and apologies for the delay!

Danny